surface plate

Surface \Sur"face`\, n. [F. See {Sur-}, and {Face}, and cf.
   {Superficial}.]
   1. The exterior part of anything that has length and breadth;
      one of the limits that bound a solid, esp. the upper face;
      superficies; the outside; as, the surface of the earth;
      the surface of a diamond; the surface of the body.
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            The bright surface of this ethereous mold. --Milton.
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   2. Hence, outward or external appearance.
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            Vain and weak understandings, which penetrate no
            deeper than the surface.              --V. Knox.
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   3. (Geom.) A magnitude that has length and breadth without
      thickness; superficies; as, a plane surface; a spherical
      surface.
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   4. (Fort.) That part of the side which is terminated by the
      flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion.
      --Stocqueler.
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   {Caustic surface}, {Heating surface}, etc. See under
      {Caustic}, {Heating}, etc.

   {Surface condensation}, {Surface condenser}. See under
      {Condensation}, and {Condenser}.

   {Surface gauge} (Mach.), an instrument consisting of a
      standard having a flat base and carrying an adjustable
      pointer, for gauging the evenness of a surface or its
      height, or for marking a line parallel with a surface.

   {Surface grub} (Zool.), the larva of the great yellow
      underwing moth ({Triphoena pronuba}). It is often
      destructive to the roots of grasses and other plants.

   {Surface plate} (Mach.), a plate having an accurately dressed
      flat surface, used as a standard of flatness by which to
      test other surfaces.

   {Surface printing}, printing from a surface in relief, as
      from type, in distinction from plate printing, in which
      the ink is contained in engraved lines.
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